Union decries closings plan

Friday, April 12, 2002

By Christopher Wills The Associated Press

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPRINGFIELD — Illinois' largest state-employee union says it would be "a violation of the public trust" for Gov. George Ryan to close dozens of state institutions to save money. Ryan is considering closing or cutting staff at 42 facilities, including mental centers in Alton, Anna and Waukegan and prisons in East Moline, Sheridan and Centralia. At least 2,500 people work at those sites.

The Republican governor, who has already ordered other facilities closed, said no final decision has been made on the newest targets.

"The state of Illinois has never had problems like we have today," Ryan said Wednesday during an appearance in Peoria.

Ryan is locked in a bitter war of words with AFSCME, the largest state-employee union, warning that many workers will be laid off unless the union agrees to a salary freeze. AFSCME has refused.

"To close any or all of these additional places ... is just really unacceptable and, I think, a violation of the public trust," said Roberta Lynch, deputy director for Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

"Under normal circumstances, I would say 'That's impossible, that they would consider closing these places.' But I can't say that. We have to take it as a very serious concern."

The possible cuts are outlined in an April 10 memo, from Ryan budget director Stephen Schnorf, ordering a halt to maintenance projects at the facilities.

"As a result of budget problems created by precipitous state revenue declines over the past seven months, the governor is considering facility closures and/or downsizing in addition to those already announced," the memo said. "... It would be imprudent for us to award contracts for or proceed with repairs and maintenance on buildings or grounds that may be targeted for closure or downsizing."

Sen. Larry Woolard, a critic of Ryan's proposed cuts, said he hopes the possibility of even deeper cuts generates more opposition and more discussion of alternatives.

"There's no way that we can close that many facilities," the Carterville Democrat said.

The Illinois House, led by its Democratic majority, last week approved a budget plan that would reverse the closures Ryan already has announced — a Vienna prison, a St. Charles juvenile detention center and a Peoria mental health center.

But they offered no suggestions on how to pay for the $330 million in spending restorations when the state is already short about $800 million. Ryan has criticized lawmakers for not working with him on the painful job of cutting state expenses.

Some lawmakers have proposed raising taxes on cigarettes or casinos. AFSCME suggests changing Illinois law so that tax revenues don't drop because of a change in federal tax rules.

But Ryan, while saying he is open to anything, has dismissed such ideas as unrealistic when lawmakers face elections this fall.

"At this point, they don't want to make cuts and they don't want to raise taxes," Ryan said. "We're going to have to do one or the other."